Our beginner “kayak clinic” has been designed to get a first time paddler feeling comfortable and competent kayaking whitewater rapids in just 4 days. Starting with 1 day on Pokhara’s Phewa Lake with views of the Annapurna Mountains, followed by 3 days paddling and camping on the remote Lower Seti River, this is the ultimate itinerary to learn the basics of whitewater kayaking while enjoying a mini river expedition and exploring Nepal.

Day 1 –
Our first day is spent on Phewa Lake where we will learn a variety of basic paddle strokes, braces, rescue techniques and the Eskimo roll. Enjoy views of paragliders in front of the Annapurna Mountains as we practice. A simple picnic lunch is provided on the beach before paddling around the Barahi temple on the way back to the kayak shack at Lakeside.

Day 2 –
Our whitewater adventure begins less than 2 hours away on the Lower Seti River – the warmest river in Nepal. Each day the Lower Seti River becomes a little more challenging as the volume increases and rapids grow in size, making it the perfect learning environment. Raft support escorts the team for the entire journey, providing refuge in case participants need a break at any time.

An introduction to whitewater theory, river safety and navigation is provided before diving onto the river. We will learn about river currents, eddies, holes and waves while our instructors teach how to cross the river, eddy-in and eddy-out and discover paddling through gentle river current and mild rapids. Lunch is prepared on a riverside beach half way through the day. 

Tonight we camp on a remote riverside beach surrounded by jungle. Camping gear, luggage, cooking equipment, food and drinking water is brought with us on the support raft for the duration of the river adventure. Our guides will prepare a variety of hygienic and delicious buffet style meals.

Day 3 –
After breakfast, camp is taken down, packed back up and reloaded onto the support raft to continue our journey down river. As a team, we make sure to leave the beach cleaner than when arrived.

Now it is time to discover a few fun and bumpy rapids where our instructors will show the way down the best lines to navigate the escalating whitewater. Between these class 2/2+ rapids there are plenty of flat water sections to practice the Eskimo roll or to simply relax and beautiful scenery, wildlife and culture.

Tonight’s camp is set on another beautiful white sandy beach with a local village nearby. At camp there is always opportunity to learn wilderness survival skills or fascinating cultural information from our expert local guides.

Day 4 –
All of our new skills will be put to the test on the last day, as we challenge some exciting 2+/3 rapids before our adventure comes to an end near the confluence of the Trisuli River on the outskirts of the Chitwan National Park. We will have a final Eskimo rolling test before lunch and good-byes. Private transportation with our crew is provided back to Pokhara while local bus options are possible towards Chitwan, Bandipur or Kathmandu.

This beginner “kayak clinic” is also recommended as a warm up for more experienced paddlers who are out of practice and looking to brush up on the fundamentals before challenging bigger Himalayan Rivers.